Tao Porchon-Lynch

Extraordinary leaders and teachers change the way we perceive the world. The very best lead us by their example. Tao Porchon-Lynch, master yoga teacher, 96 years-young, synthesizes the most positive aspects of Indian, European and American thought. Tao is uniquely equipped to spread yogic insights, originating in India to westerners and is truly living proof of the effectiveness of a life-long yoga practice. Tao studied with BKS Iyengar in Bombay and Pune. She has been a member of the Ramakrishna Vivekananda Center in India since 1939 and was a disciple of Swami Prabhavananda from 1952 until his death in 1976. Remarkably, Tao marched for peace with Mahatma Gandhi.

Her colorful life of glamour and grit from French Resistance fighter, actress, fashion model, screenwriter, producer, wine judge and championship ballroom dancer brings a unique and unparalleled experience to her students.

Tao has certified and trained hundreds of yoga instructors, since founding the Westchester (New York) Institute of Yoga in 1982. Tao has over 70 years of yoga practice and more than 50 years of teaching yoga to students in India, France, England, Bali, Peru, Prague, Moscow, Toronto and throughout the U.S.

At a youthful 96, Tao brings a delightful, childlike love of life and nature to all that she does. Her current passion, in addition to yoga, is ballroom dancing and she is an award winning world-class dancer. Her presence and words inspire deep compassion and inner peace. Tao’s mantra is “There is nothing you cannot do.”